ESI's Kristof Bender participated in a "Aspen Initiative for Europe" meeting organised by the Aspen Institute Romania on 5 October 2016 in Bucharest. The discussion, led under Chatham House rules, focused on the "condition of Western liberal order" and current European challenges including Brexit, relations with Russia, the refugee crisis, populism as well as the state of the European economy and its social and political implications.

Kristof attended also part of the Bucharest Forum, taking place on 5-7 October 2016.